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Estonian Foundation in Canada scholarship fellow Annika Tork


Annika Tork
 is an Estonian-Canadian university student who received a 2020 EFC Scholarship with funding from the new Martin & Heljo Mäeks Fund. Annika grew up in the Vancouver Estonian community, attending church and Estonian school, dancing with the Kilplased, and volunteering at many community and regional events such as the West Coast Estonian Days. Today, she is part of the Estonian Worldwide Youth Network.

A fourth-year nursing student at the University of Alberta, Annika is interested in working within a specialty such as cardiology, ER or neonatal nursing. She plans to further her studies with a Master’s degree.

On being Estonian:
“Annika possesses the Estonian spirit, that we try to preserve while living abroad” – Juta Kitching.
Being Estonian has always been a significant part of my identity, and something I am proud of. To me, being Estonian means that I am part of a very small and special group of people with a rich cultural and historical background. I feel fortunate to be part of this unique group, which is especially true in Canada, where simply being Estonian connects me to an entire community. It is possible to find a group of friends wherever one ventures in the world.

Being Estonian allows me to understand our world from a more global perspective; has also shaped my understanding and appreciation of how fortunate I am to live the way I do today. I do not take for granted the freedom I have to live where I do, study what I wish, and openly celebrate being Estonian.

On EFC:
Estonian Foundation of Canada is important to us for the financial support it provides to the Estonian communities in Canada and their activities.  This support helps to promote the Estonian culture and heritage for the present and future generations of Canadian Estonians, and also helps to introduce it to other Canadians.  Events in our Estonian communities are organized by many volunteers but funding is always needed.  The financial support of the Foundation helps to ensure the sustainability and growth of the events in our Estonian communities.  Estonians in Canada are able to donate money to the Foundation, knowing that their funds will be directed to support the activities of the Estonian communities.